Citation

Babcock M, Gayle P. J. Transp. Res. Forum 2009; 48(3): 77-95.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Transportation Research Forum)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper investigates the determinants of motor vehicle fatalities at the state level. The states of California, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas, were chosen for this study due to their geographical dispersion and since they accounted for a relatively large number of the motor vehicle fatalities in the United States in 2006. A literature review was conducted, followed by the formulation of an empirical model of the determinants of motor vehicle traffic fatalities and an estimation of the statistical significance of the various determinants of fatalities across the states. Findings indicate that fatalities vary significantly by state even after controlling for commonly cited fatality determinants. Several of the variables in the model are subject to state policy, indicating that this model could allow policymakers to quantify the impacts of policy changes in these variables on motor vehicle fatalities.